Rep. Chip Brown

Maddy summaryHB 141 increases maximum annual fees for directors of public utility corporations (like water, gas, and electric systems) in Alabama municipalities, with tiered limits based on city population size. For example, in cities under 5,000 residents, chair fees rise from $7,200 to $14,400 annually, while other directors see caps increase from $4,800 to $7,200 per year. The bill also extends the terms of certain board members and updates outdated code language. It directly affects utility corporation boards in Alabama cities, particularly those governed by local laws or specific municipal classifications.

Maddy summaryHB 302 updates Alabama's bail bonding regulations. It requires professional surety bondsmen to hold a license for three years before owning a company (previously only applied to bail bondsmen), extends apprentice licenses to 180 days with mandatory training for 19-20 year olds, and mandates circuit clerks to report authorized bail bond companies within 30 days of approval. The bill also adds a one-year Alabama residency requirement for new license applicants, imposes late fees for overdue renewals, and creates a process for placing licenses on inactive status. These changes directly affect bail bondsmen, circuit clerks, and the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, which gains new appointment rules for sheriff and lay members.

Maddy summaryHB 444 requires restaurants and food service establishments in Alabama to clearly disclose the country of origin for imported seafood (like fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster) using specific methods: labels on packaging, menu notations, or conspicuous signs at entrances. The Agriculture Commissioner gains authority to test seafood for compliance and report violations to the State Health Officer, who enforces penalties. Violations incur escalating fines ($100 for second offense, up to $1,000 for fifth offense) after a written warning, though unintentional errors due to supplier information are exempt. The bill updates existing labeling rules (amending Code Sections 22-20A-3, 5, 7, and 8) to standardize disclosure requirements and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 3 exempts state sales and use taxes on fresh, unprocessed fish or seafood sold directly by anglers or fishermen (defined as "producers" in the bill). This applies only to retail sales of seafood in its original, unmanufactured state. Local counties and municipalities may choose to also exempt these sales from local taxes, but only if they adopt a specific resolution or ordinance. The exemption takes effect on September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 28 would create a state income tax credit for Alabama restaurants that donate oyster shells to approved recycling programs. Restaurants can claim up to $2,000 per year (based on $1 for every 50 pounds of shells donated), with a total annual cap of $100,000 across all participating businesses. Credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are only available for tax years 2026 through 2030. The Alabama Department of Revenue will collaborate with conservation officials to designate eligible recycling programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Alabama law to update how temporary judges of probate are appointed in Mobile County. It allows the elected Judge of Probate to appoint temporary judges when the court faces heavy caseloads or complex cases, and it clarifies procedures for appointing temporary judges when the elected judge is unable to serve due to illness, absence, or disqualification. Temporary judges appointed for workload management can serve up to 90-day periods, with a maximum of 100 days per fiscal year, while those appointed to fill vacancies must be approved by the circuit court presiding judge. The bill also establishes that temporary judges receive 90 percent of the elected judge's salary, must post a $10,000 bond, and their decisions carry the same legal weight as those of the elected judge without creating liability for the elected judge or their bond.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Captain Ted Johnson for his distinguished service to the Mobile Police Department and residents of Mobile. The resolution recognizes his career achievements, including his progression from patrol officer to lieutenant, his leadership in various units, and his community outreach efforts addressing homelessness. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies, and it does not create any legal obligations or changes to existing regulations.

Maddy summaryHJR 179 is a resolution passed by Alabama's legislature urging Congress to authorize a federal reliability report on Marine Highway 65 (a key waterway corridor including the Tennessee River and Mobile River systems). It specifically requests the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assess infrastructure vulnerabilities at locks like Demopolis, Holt, and Wilson, which have experienced failures. The resolution, supported by Alabama and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority, aims to inform future investments and maintenance for this critical transportation network. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests federal action in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 180 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature to commemorate the 170th anniversary of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity's founding at the University of Alabama. It formally recognizes SAE as the only national fraternity established in the antebellum South and honors the Alabama Mu Chapter as the birthplace of the national organization. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any group legally - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of historical significance. It highlights the fraternity's founding date (March 9, 1856), its founders, and its current status as one of the largest national fraternities.

Maddy summaryHB 38 creates the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force to address seagrass loss in state marine waters. The task force, composed of state officials, university leaders, environmental representatives, and private sector members, will develop a 10-year restoration plan by 2027. It will coordinate research, test restoration technologies, and report annually to the Governor and legislature on progress and recommendations. The bill directly affects coastal ecosystems and communities dependent on healthy seagrass beds, which support fisheries and water quality. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will manage task force funding and operations.